Pro Football RumorsAndre Smith (OT) – Pro Football Rumorshttps://www.profootballrumors.com
NFL Rumors: Trades, Free Agency, DraftMon, 19 Nov 2018 22:17:50 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.6Cardinals Notes: Rosen, Golden, LBs, Smithhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/09/cardinals-notes-rosen-golden-gresham-bucannon
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/09/cardinals-notes-rosen-golden-gresham-bucannon#commentsSat, 22 Sep 2018 20:00:38 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=119455With the Cardinals‘ prospects for a playoff berth looking as bleak as they have in a September since before Carson Palmer arrived, noise around the team beginning the Josh Rosen era has obviously increased. Arizona’s Sam Bradford-led attack did not cross midfield until the fourth quarter against the Rams, and the Cards have just six points this season — the fewest of any team through two games since the 2006 Buccaneers. However, don’t count on a Rosen in-game promotion if Arizona’s struggles continue against the Bears on Sunday. While Steve Keim said (via Bob McManaman of the Arizona Republic) the first-round pick “has got to be ready,” he would prefer Steve Wilks give him a full week of first-string reps rather than throw him into the fire. As for Wilks, he does see the UCLA product making strides. Rosen was billed as the most pro-ready quarterback in this draft yet will be the last to see action of his first-round peers.

“Number one, I think the guy is progressing,” Wilks said during an interview with Sirius XM’s Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan. “He does a great job each and every week trying to prepare himself. He does get some reps with the ones each and every week, so from that standpoint, it’s good. And then he does an excellent job just as far as running the show team as well, so his operation each week is with the ones as well as on the show team. Prep has been good.

“When the time is right, we’ll definitely get him in there.”

Here’s the latest out of the desert:

Markus Golden and Jermaine Gresham appear on track to make their 2018 debuts. Both players progressed to full practices this week for the first time this year, per McManaman. Golden’s been out since Week 4 of last season because of an ACL tear. Gresham hasn’t played since Week 17, when the tight end ruptured an Achilles’ tendon. Both began camp on the PUP list. This will be Gresham’s age-30 season, and it’s even more critical for Golden. The edge rusher is set to begin a contract year, so showing he’s recovered from the severe knee injury will be paramount for his stock. Golden finished with 12.5 sacks in 2016. Both players are listed as questionable for Sunday.

The Cardinals’ new 4-3 defense has looked more like a 4-2-5 look thus far, and that’s resulted in Haason Reddick seeing sparse action in his second season. The 2017 first-rounder’s played only 17 snaps thus far. The Cards’ 2014 first-rounder, Deone Bucannon, was benched against the Rams, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic notes. Bucannon’s been a full-time starter at either safety or linebacker since his rookie year. Bucannon is also in a contract year. Josh Bynes leads Cardinals linebackers with 141 snaps, and Pro Football Focus tabbed him as the No. 10 overall ‘backer through two games. Bucannon sits 70th on that list, mostly due to Week 1 struggles. Nomad defender Gerald Hodges replaced Bucannon in Week 2.

Andre Smith remains out for Arizona because of an elbow injury, meaning John Wetzel will start again for the Cards in Week 3, McManaman notes. Considering Khalil Mack frequently lines up opposite right tackles, this poses another problem for a Cards team that’s experienced many thus far this season.

]]>4Cardinals To Sign OT Andre Smithhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/03/cardinals-sign-andre-smith
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2018/03/cardinals-sign-andre-smith#commentsWed, 14 Mar 2018 20:49:04 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=99129Former Bengals tackle Andre Smith is signing a two-year, $8MM deal with the Cardinals, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The deal could be worth up to $10.2MM with bonuses.

Smith will receive $2.85MM in fully guaranteed funds, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. He’ll be due a $500K roster bonus on the third day of the 2019 league year.

Smith, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with Cincinnati after being selected No. 6 overall in the 2009 draft, reunited with the Bengals last offseason. He signed a one-year deal with the notion that he would be the team’s starting right guard. He lost that competition to Trey Hopkins, but a spot opened up at right tackle when Jake Fisher was shut down for the year with a heart condition.

Back at his native tackle position, Smith didn’t really deliver. Pro Football Focus rated him as just the No. 64 tackle out of 85 qualified players in December when he was placed on IR. Smith hasn’t earned a quality score from PFF since 2014, a sign that he has declined in recent years.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>1Bengals Place Andre Smith On IRhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/12/bengals-place-andre-smith-ir
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/12/bengals-place-andre-smith-ir#respondWed, 20 Dec 2017 19:33:07 +0000https://www.profootballrumors.com/?p=88185The Bengals have placed tackle Andre Smith on injured reserve. In related moves, the Bengals signed fellow tackle Justin Murray off the Saints practice squad. They also signed linebacker Connor Harris to the taxi squad.

Smith, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with Cincinnati after being selected No. 6 overall in the 2009 draft, reunited with the Bengals in the offseason. He signed a one-year deal with the notion that he would be the team’s starting right guard. He lost that competition to Trey Hopkins, but a spot opened up at right tackle when Jake Fisher was shut down for the year with a heart condition.

Even at his native tackle position, Smith didn’t really deliver. Pro Football Focus rates him as just the No. 64 tackle in the league out of 85 qualified players. Smith hasn’t earned a quality score from PFF since 2014, a sign that he has declined in recent years.

The soon-to-be 31-year-old will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in January. He’s lost a step or three, but his experience and versatility could allow him to find work in 2018.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0Extra Points: Raiders, Eagles, Broncoshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/extra-points-raiders-eagles-broncos-vikes-bengals
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/extra-points-raiders-eagles-broncos-vikes-bengals#respondFri, 17 Mar 2017 03:05:18 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=59408“Things could be on track” for a vote on the Raiders’ potential relocation to take place during the upcoming owners meetings from March 26-29, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy informed Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. Indeed, the Raiders are “on course” to apply for Las Vegas relocation at the meetings, a source told Gutierrez. If a vote is held, Mark Davis will need 23 of the league’s other 31 owners to sign off on his Vegas plan. Before that happens, though, owners want to know where the Raiders would play in 2019, according to Gutierrez. They’re going to remain in Oakland the next two seasons, and the potential Las Vegas stadium wouldn’t open until 2019, leaving a one-year gap.

More from around the league:

Florida State running back and first-round prospect Dalvin Cook is in Philadelphia meeting with the Eagles, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). The Eagles finished an unimpressive 18th in the league in yards per carry last season and don’t have a high-end No. 1 rusher, so it’s possible they’ll give Cook serious consideration if he’s on the board at No. 14.

Terence Newman told reporters that his agent spoke with the Raiders on the same day he spoke to the Vikings, but Oakland did not make an offer (Twitter link via Mark Craig of the Star Tribune). Regardless, the Vikings were Newman’s top choice. This week, the cornerback agreed to return to Minnesota for his age-39 season.

Although the Bengals’Andre Smith has served as an offensive tackle during his entire eight-year career, he’ll shift to right guard in his ninth season, writes Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. “We think he has chance to be a really good player for us there,” said Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander. Smith, who spent his first seven seasons in Cincinnati and 2016 in Minnesota, returned to the Bengals on Tuesday on a one-year deal. He’ll replace former line mate and standout right guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed a massive contract with the AFC North rival Browns at the outset of free agency.

Offensive lineman Gosder Cherilus has officially announced his retirement (Twitter link). After initial word that Cherilius would retire, one report said that he was simply not seeking a contract at this time, indicating that the situation was fluid. However, Cherilus is indeed walking away from the game.

Smith, 30, spent the first seven seasons of his career with Cincinnati after being selected sixth overall in the 2009 draft. While he didn’t become a full-time player until his third year in the league, Smith ultimately started 73 games for the Bengals at right tackle. After inking a one-year pact with the Vikings last offseason, Smith played in only four contests before being placed on injured reserve.

The Bengals’ offensive line is in flux after the club saw both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler leave the club in free agency. With Cedric Ogbuehi projected to take over for Whitworth at left tackle, Smith could theoretically slide in at right tackle, allowing Jake Fisher to shift to guard to replace Zeitler. Instead, initial indications are Smith will play right guard, a position he’s never played at the NFL level, as Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com writes.

The Bills also made a “hard run” at Smith, per Darlington (Twitter link), but Smith preferred to head back to Cincinnati.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>1Bengals To Host Andre Smith On Visithttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/bengals-to-host-andre-smith-on-visit
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/bengals-to-host-andre-smith-on-visit#respondMon, 13 Mar 2017 22:11:13 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=58799Andre Smith‘s one season away from Cincinnati didn’t go well, but the Bengals are interested in a possible reunion. The former Bengals first-round pick will visit with his initial NFL team soon, Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports (on Twitter).

This comes after Smith met with the Bills, so the 30-year-old tackle’s generated some curiosity among teams despite his rough stint with the Vikings. Smith played in a career-low four games after signing his one-year deal to venture to Minnesota. He spent most of last season on IR due to a triceps injury, missing most of what was a brutal year for the Vikes’ offensive front.

Smith signed a one-year, $3.5MM deal with the Vikings after playing for the Bengals during the first seven seasons of his career. Smith served as Cincinnati’s regular right tackle starter for most of this decade. The Bengals have Jake Fisher, Cedric Ogbuehi and Eric Winston as right-edge options. None performed well in the opinion of Pro Football Focus last season, though Smith didn’t either.

Although, Smith has some experience as a left tackle, and the Bengals lost stalwart blindside man Andrew Whitworth last week. So one of the aforementioned incumbents could well be set to move to the left side full-time after Whitworth joined Kevin Zeitler in leaving southwest Ohio for a more lucrative opportunity elsewhere.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>0OL Andre Smith To Visit Billshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/ol-andre-smith-to-visit-bills
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2017/03/ol-andre-smith-to-visit-bills#commentsSat, 11 Mar 2017 14:49:07 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=58162Free agent offensive tackle Andre Smith is set to visit the Bills, reports ESPN’s Jeff Darlington (via Twitter). The reporter also notes that Smith could wind up with his former team, the Bengals.

The former first-round spent the first seven seasons of his career in Cincinnati before signing a one-year, $3.5MM deal with the Vikings last offseason. Smith would ultimately play in four games (four starts) for Minnesota before going down for the year with a triceps injury.

The 30-year-old has 86 career games (77 starts) under his belt. He hasn’t played in all 16 games since 2013, and he’s missed 21 games over the past three seasons.

]]>1Vikings To Place Andre Smith On IRhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/10/vikings-place-andre-smith-ir-2016
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/10/vikings-place-andre-smith-ir-2016#commentsMon, 10 Oct 2016 19:25:18 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=40838It’s official – the Vikings are placing offensive tackle Andre Smith on IR. Coach Mike Zimmer told reporters today that the veteran will have surgery tomorrow, likely ending his season in October.

On Friday, we learned that Smith’s elbow injury could be a season-ender. Minnesota has been ravaged by injuries this year, but they have powered through and now sit atop the league with a 5-0 record. After topping the Texans 31-13 at home, the Vikings will rest up before traveling to Philadelphia in Week 7.

Smith came to the Vikings on a one-year, $3.5MM deal this offseason. While he was brought in to hold down the right tackle spot, reserve tackle Jeremiah Sirleshas actually been outperforming him according to the advanced metrics. Pro Football Focus has Smith ranked as just the 71st best tackle out of 75 qualified players. Meanwhile, Sirles is No. 15.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>1Vikings To Place Andre Smith On IR?https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/10/vikings-to-place-andre-smith-on-ir
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/10/vikings-to-place-andre-smith-on-ir#commentsFri, 07 Oct 2016 16:40:42 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=40594Andre Smith has an elbow injury and it might end his season. The tackle’s injury is keeping him out of practice today and the team believes that it might be severe enough to warrant placing him on IR, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

The Vikings, unfortunately, have been wrecked by injuries this year. The first big blow came late in the summer when Teddy Bridgewater suffered a severe knee injury. Then, a torn meniscus knocked Adrian Peterson out for a minimum of two months and potentially for the entire season. Now, Minnesota might lose another starter in Smith.

Smith came to the Vikings on a one-year, $3.5MM deal. Smith, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, was the Bengals’ starting right tackle for several seasons, making 73 starts in Cincinnati since first joining the club seven years ago. Although he has been a steady performer throughout his career, the 29-year-old became expendable in Cincinnati after the Bengals used their first two picks in the 2015 draft on offensive tackles.

Through one month of NFL football, the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus have Smith ranked as just the 69th best tackle out of 75 qualified players. Meanwhile, fellow Vikings tackle Jeremiah Sirles is rated No. 32.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>1North Notes: Bengals, Griffin, Bearshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/north-notes-bengals-griffin-bears
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/north-notes-bengals-griffin-bears#commentsMon, 21 Mar 2016 02:26:47 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=27227Watching most of their UFAs either defect or still reside in free agency, the Bengals allowed their latest longtime starter who fled Cincinnati to do so without an effort to keep him. The Bengals did not pursue Andre Smith, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports, and the eighth-year right tackle signed with the Vikings.

Smith landed in Minnesota on a one-year, $3.5MM deal, one that could be deemed as a value-reestablishing accord. The Bengals, though, prepared for Smith’s departure a year in advance in drafting tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in the first two rounds last year. Although, Fisher moved to H-back toward the end of last season.

Here’s some more on the Bengals, along with other North-division franchises.

Former Bengals OC Jay Gruden expects Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard to command hefty contracts, per Hobson. “You have to tip your hat to that offensive scheme over there and the way Andy [Dalton] is throwing the ball around,” Gruden said. “That’s what that offense is supposed to be about. It’s supposed to get people touches, just not A.J. [Green]. Marvin and Mo got big contracts. A.J. has already established himself. Eifert will get a big deal. Giovani will get a great deal.” Gruden, who watched former auxiliary wideout Andrew Hawkins attract a solid contract from the Browns a few years ago, doesn’t anticipate a big drop-off from the Bengals’ offense after Sanu and Jones left. “[The Bengals] will be fine,” Gruden said. “Andy will throw it to the open guy and he’ll make someone else a couple of million dollars.”

While noting the Browns‘ meeting with Robert GriffinIII went well, Jackson indirectly seemed to intimate a prospective interest in Colin Kaepernick, telling NFL.com’s Steve Wyche (via Marc Sessler) “I can’t comment on players on other teams. But it is where it is and eventually I think all those things will show itself.” Kaepernick should be one of the chief topics of this week’s owners’ meetings, with the Browns, Broncos and Jets having indicated some interest over the past couple of weeks. Jackson went on to call RG3 a “tremendous talent.” Griffin’s now visited the Jets and Browns. The Browns remain interested in Griffin, a source informed Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. Cabot notes the prospect of a Griffin-Browns union becoming reality would make the most sense this week, with the Cleveland brass in Boca Raton, Fla., for the meetings.

Kyle Long would play right guard for the Bears with the personnel that’s presently on the roster, John Fox told media (including Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune) from the spring meetings. A two-time Pro Bowl guard who earned an additional Pro Bowl nod upon being moved to right tackle in 2015, Long moving back there would stem from the Bears adding Bobby Massie in free agency. Long’s performance appeared to dip last season, however, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as its 37th-best tackle. The Bears trotted out Charles Leno at left tackle last season.

Fox said the Bears weren’t done in free agency, and Biggs hears from a source the team is looking to add a tight end this week. After keeping Zach Miller and trading Martellus Bennett, the Bears have Rob Housler under contract as well. Biggs points out Jared Cook could be a fit after playing for new OC Dowell Loggains with the Titans. The Bears haven’t allocated much money to the position, with Miller receiving a two-year, $6MM deal.

Fox believes both Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman can function as nickel linebackers for them, and Ryan Grigson concurs, telling media (including John Mullin of CSNChicago.com) Freeman can “do it all” as a three-down linebacker. Trevathan logged 513 snaps against the pass last season compared to Freeman’s 449, although Freeman would have likely matched or surpassed his new linebacking mate’s 2015 figure had he played more than 13 games.

]]>1Extra Points: NFLPA, Colon, Vikings, Lionshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/extra-points-nflpa-colon-vikings-lions
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/extra-points-nflpa-colon-vikings-lions#respondSun, 20 Mar 2016 02:00:57 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=27206After reporting earlier today that the NFL Players Association was considering a vote on whether to reduce agent fees from a maximum of 3% to a max of 2%, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears from multiple sources that the union discussed a possible reduction, but won’t make any changes.

Two sources tell Florio that a small group of players, including Richard Sherman and Rashad Jennings, were in favor of a fee reduction, but the discussion ended up focusing instead on educating players on their right to negotiate a fee lower than 3%.

The conversation comes at an interesting time, in the wake of Russell Okung negotiating his new contract without an agent of his own. While Okung was able to get something done without having to give up a 3% fee, his deal arguably wasn’t as player-friendly as the majority of the other contracts signed this month, as I discussed earlier today. Agents could point to Okung’s lack of guaranteed money as a reason why they’re worth that 3% cut.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the NFL:

Veteran guard Willie Colon, who is currently a free agent after spending the last three years with the Jets, said during an appearance on ESPN New York 98.7 FM that he’s contemplating retirement. “I’m on the fence. I still haven’t decided if I’m gonna go or not go,” Colon said, adding that he doesn’t want to rush his decision.

As Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune details, new Vikings tackle Andre Smith couldn’t pin down just one reason why he decided to sign in Minnesota as a free agent, citing Mike Zimmer‘s presence, the opportunity to join a winner, and the chance to compete for a starting job.

In his latest mailbag, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com praises some of the Lions‘ free agency decisions, but says the team didn’t significantly upgrade any position, adding that there are a few “concerning places” on the roster.

Mike Klis of 9NEWS sets the stage for next week’s NFL owners meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, suggesting that Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers, and the Broncos will receive plenty of attention, even if nothing major happens with the Kaepernick trade talks.

]]>0NFC Contract Details: Starks, Galette, Mathishttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/nfc-contract-details-starks-galette-mathis
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/nfc-contract-details-starks-galette-mathis#respondSat, 19 Mar 2016 01:15:12 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=27160Here are several of the latest contract details on deals which were agreed upon or signed within the last week. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated.

Nolan Carroll, CB (Eagles): One year, $2.36MM. Can be worth up to $3MM. $1MM in per-game active roster bonuses. $600K for eight games active. Up to $640K in playing-time and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link).

]]>0FA Rumors: Fitzpatrick, Steelers, Norwoodhttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/fa-rumors-fitzpatrick-steelers-norwood
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/fa-rumors-fitzpatrick-steelers-norwood#respondFri, 18 Mar 2016 20:57:50 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=27158Only five players on our list of this year’s top 50 free agents remain unsigned, and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (No. 19) is the highest-rated player of that group. The Jets and Fitzpatrick have been at an impasse since free agency opened, with Fitzpatrick seeking a sizable raise and New York offering a more modest deal.

Speaking today to reporters, including Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said that Fitzpatrick remains a “very good fit” for the team, adding that the goal is to eventually re-sign him. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN (Twitterlinks), Maccagnan declined to put a time frame on those talks, suggesting there’s no real deadline. The GM also confirmed that the Jets’ visit with Robert Griffin III was “due diligence,” and that the club remains focused on getting something done with Fitzpatrick.

As we wait to see if the two sides can reach an agreement, let’s check in on a few other free agent updates from across the NFL…

The Steelers are hosting free agent linebackers Spencer Paysinger and Mike Morgan for visits today, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Neither player projects as a probable starter, so Pittsburgh is presumably looking to fill out its depth chart after losing Sean Spence to the Titans. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes (via Twitter) that the Dolphins would like to bring back Paysinger, but he wants to see if he can get more than the minimum salary from another club.

Free agent wide receiver Jordan Norwood ended his visit with the Lions today without a deal in place, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. According to Birkett, Norwood – who also met with the Jets – has a visit with another team set up for next week, and has yet to make a decision.

Offensive tackle Andre Smith, who signed with the Vikings, said today that his agent told him he would have a visit with the Cardinals, but that trip never happened (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press).

11:05am: The Vikings continue to fortify their offensive line, with free agent tackle Andre Smith announcing today (via Twitter) that he’s heading to Minnesota, having agreed to a one-year contract with the club.

“Minneapolis here I come,” Smith tweeted. “Excited to join the great Vikings organization today on a 1-yr deal!!#SKOLVikings!!”

Smith, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, has been the Bengals’ starting right tackle for the last several seasons, making 73 starts in Cincinnati since first joining the club seven years ago. Although he has been a steady performer throughout his career, the 29-year-old became expendable in Cincinnati after the Bengals used their first two picks in the 2015 draft on offensive tackles.

Smith’s new deal with the Vikings will pay him up to $4.5MM, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Ben Goessling of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that it will feature $1MM in guaranteed money, while Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports says (via Twitter) that it sounds as if other options were on the table for Smith, who “really liked” the Vikings.

Earlier this week, Smith was said to be deciding between the Vikings and Cardinals, though Arizona GM Steve Keim downplayed his team’s interest in the veteran tackle in a radio interview this morning. It’s not clear whether the Cards’ interest in Smith was overstated, or whether Keim knew at that point that the free agent would end up in Minnesota.

Having initially pursued Kelechi Osemele in free agency, the Vikings have now added two solid veterans in Smith and Alex Boone. While Boone will be penciled in as a starter at guard, Smith may have to beat out Phil Loadholt and T.J. Clemmings to win the right tackle job.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

]]>5Andre Smith Deciding Between Vikings, Cardinalshttps://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/vikings-pushing-sign-andre-smith
https://www.profootballrumors.com/2016/03/vikings-pushing-sign-andre-smith#commentsMon, 14 Mar 2016 23:53:34 +0000https://pfr.traderumors.com/?p=268956:53pm: Smith tells Tomasson (Twitter link) that his visit with the Vikings went well and that things are “even” between the Vikings and the Cardinals.

4:57pm: Tackle Andre Smithis still with the Vikings and they are still working on signing him, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter) reports. Minnesota hopes to get a deal done today with the veteran.

Smith spent 2009-15 with the Bengals after they selected him No. 6 overall and the tackle went on to make 73 regular season starts for them in 82 appearances. If Smith signs with the Vikings, he’d be the third starting-caliber O-lineman to do so this offseason, joining guards Alex Boone and Mike Harris.

The 38th-ranked player in PFR’s top 50 free agents list, Smith’s market has been somewhat slow to materialize. From the sound of it, however, his free agency could come to a halt rather soon.

The former first-rounder didn’t receive high marks based on the advanced metrics used by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Smith was ranked 56th out of 77 qualified tackles in 2015 with equally poor grades in pass blocking and run blocking. Smith saw 567 pass snaps and 414 run snaps last season.